First Team News

Six of the best: Season openers

THUNDERBOLT: Yaya Toure bagged a screamer against West Brom on the opening day of the 2015/16 campaign

The first game of the season is always a special occasion and the 2016/17 will be City's 20th of the Premier League era.

The Blues took a while to get going in the then-named Premiership, failing to win a game for the first 11 years - though four of those were spent outside the top flight.

City drew three and lost three of the first six curtain-raisers, scoring three goals and conceding 13 up until 2003 when Kevin Keegan's side broke the cycle with a 3-0 win over Charlton Athletic at The Valley.

Charlton v City 2003

Three winless openers followed to make it just one win in ten Premier League attempts up to 2007 - though things improved steadily thereafter.

West Ham v City 2007

Our first memorable game came in August 2007 when Sven-Goran Eriksson's City travelled to Upton Park, full of optimism and numerous new signings and looking to kick the new season off in style...

Blackburn v City 2009

Two years later, it was the dawn of yet another new era with Mark Hughes' new-look side travelling to Ewood Park to take on Blackburn Rovers. It proved to be a happy trip for the 6,000 City fans who made the short journey north...

City v Swansea 2011

Few will forget Sergio Aguero's stunning debut which opened the 2011/12 campaign in style. City were up against newly-promoted Swansea at the Etihad Stadium and Roberto Mancini's side didn't disappoint...

City v Newcastle 2013

Manuel Pellegrini's reign as City manager began against Newcastle in August 2013. Could the new manager get the Blues back to their best? The Chilean wanted his side to play 'beautiful football' and against Newcastle, the Blues were, at times, breathtaking...

Newcastle v City 2014

Newcastle were again the opposition for the opening game of the 2014/15 campaign, but this time at St James' Park. With a Community Shield thrashing by Arsenal still fresh in the memory, could a City side missing several players who were still not quite match fit beat Alan Pardew's side on their own soil?

West Brom v City 2015

On the opening day of the 2015/16 campaign, the Blues travelled to the Hawthorns to face West Brom, looking to hit the ground running.City finished the previous campaign as runners-up and had a point to prove in this encounter - they certainly made it...

So that's our top six choices. City's overall record for Premier League opening days games is:

Played: 19Won: 8Drawn: 6Lost: 5For: 26Against: 23

How will this season's opening day clash pan out? Let us know your thoughts on Twitter @ManCity.